The UK government plans to ban the sale of high-caffeine energy drinks to children under 16 in England. Following growing concern over the health impact of products like Red Bull, Monster and Prime Energy, which can contain high amounts of caffeine. Around 100,000 children in the UK are estimated to consume at least one of these drinks every day, a habit that experts warn is damaging not only their overall well-being but also their teeth.
Dr. Gizem Seymenoglu, a GDC-registered independent dentist whose services are accessible through Longevita, calls it a positive step and suggests that raising the limit to 18 would give even stronger protection, since newly erupted teeth in teenagers are especially vulnerable to permanent erosion. She believes the oral health risks of energy drinks are often underestimated. She warns that the sugar and acidity can erode enamel, cause sensitivity and leave permanent damage.
Why are energy drinks so popular with young people?
About 18 months ago, Britain saw the height of the Prime Energy craze, with teenagers queueing outside shops and some parents paying up to £10 a can. Retailers often placed the drinks alongside sweets and crisps, blurring the line between a sugary treat and a highly caffeinated product.
Dr Seymenoglu commented: “The colourful branding makes these drinks look harmless, yet their acidity and sugar cause enamel erosion, sensitivity and permanent wear.”
Are energy drinks bad for children’s teeth?
Much of the debate around energy drinks focuses on ADHD-like symptoms, anxiety or sleep disruption, but one of the most overlooked consequences is their impact on children’s teeth. These drinks combine high sugar and strong acidity, which soften and erode enamel. A single 12 oz can of Prime contains nearly 200 mg of caffeine and around 55 grams of sugar, compared with 34 mg of caffeine and 39 grams of sugar in Coca-Cola.
Dr Gizem Seymenoglu explains: “Cola is often more acidic, so it can weaken enamel faster, but it is usually drunk quickly and with food. Energy drinks, on the other hand, are sipped slowly and more regularly because of their performance-boosting image. That means the acid lingers on the teeth for longer. On top of this, their high sugar feeds bacteria that produce even more acid, and the caffeine dries out the mouth by reducing saliva flow. Saliva is the body’s natural defence because it washes away particles, neutralises acids and supports enamel repair. Without enough saliva, the enamel stays under attack. Instead of rinsing with water, children are coating their teeth with acid again and again. This combination accelerates tooth wear, causes sensitivity and creates the ideal conditions for cavities.”
She adds: “Sipping acidic drinks slowly is much worse for the teeth because it causes a more prolonged drop in pH in the mouth. Every sip refreshes the acid attack, and the enamel doesn’t get a chance to recover. Drinking quickly is still harmful, but the shorter contact time means the risk is lower. The real problem is when teenagers use these drinks as water substitutes, which keeps the mouth acidic for hours, reduces saliva flow and speeds up enamel demineralisation.”
What are the early signs of enamel erosion in kids?
Dr Gizem notes that children who sip energy drinks directly from cans expose their upper teeth to prolonged acid contact. Over time, this can cause sensitivity to hot or cold, yellowing as enamel thins, translucent edges, loss of natural shine, and discoloration ranging from white spots to a yellowish tint.
“Parents should treat these visible changes as red flags,” she advises. “If a child complains of sudden sensitivity or the edges of their front teeth look glassy, it is often an early sign of enamel erosion. Once that protective enamel layer is worn away, it cannot grow back. The earlier parents recognise these changes, the better chance they have to step in and prevent long-term damage.”
She adds that erosion beginning in childhood can carry into adulthood. It can shorten the vertical bite over time, change the balance of the jaw and even alter the way the lips look. Many adults who drank energy drinks regularly as teenagers present with erosion on the back teeth, loss of height and an aged appearance before their time. Restorative options such as crowns, veneers or even full-mouth reconstructions are sometimes the only solution, but these treatments are complex and costly.
Why are children’s and teenagers’ teeth more at risk from energy drinks?
Dr Gizem Seymenoglu also notes that permanent molars erupt at around ages six and twelve, with wisdom teeth appearing in the late teens. Newly erupted teeth are softer and therefore more vulnerable in their first years. If children consume acidic and sugary energy drinks during this stage, the damage can become permanent on those teeth, leaving them weakened into adulthood. Orthodontic patients face even greater risks, since braces and wires can trap sugar and acid around the teeth, accelerating decay.
Parents can learn more about keeping children’s teeth safe during these key years in Longevita’s guide on oral health symptoms in children.
Sports and Stomach Acid Factor
Energy drinks are often marketed as performance boosters, making them especially popular among children and teenagers who play sports. But intense physical activity can increase pressure in the stomach, pushing acid back up into the mouth. If this reflux occurs after consuming an energy drink, stomach acid compounds the enamel erosion already triggered by sugar and acidity.
Dr Gizem Seymenoglu noted: “In sporty children who consume energy drinks, we often see erosion that resembles the damage caused by frequent vomiting. The acid doesn’t just affect the front teeth; it also attacks the back surfaces of the upper teeth, which are harder for parents to notice. Parents may think their child is making a ‘healthy’ choice by hydrating with an energy drink during a game, but in reality they are exposing their enamel to a double acid attack.”
How can parents protect children’s teeth from energy drinks?
While the best solution is to avoid energy drinks completely, some steps can help reduce harm:
- Finish the drink within 10–15 minutes instead of sipping for hours.
- Follow with a full glass of water.
- Replace energy drinks with water or unsweetened milk.
- Wait at least 30 minutes before brushing.
Dr Gizem Seymenoglu adds: “If your child does drink an energy drink, make sure they follow it with water. It might mean more trips to the bathroom, but that is better than more trips to the dentist.”
